The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has disqualified 59 aspirants seeking seats in the State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision followed an extensive screening process conducted by the party’s primary committee, which aimed to vet the eligibility and credentials of all contenders. This mass disqualification has significantly thinned the field of candidates, marking a major turning point in the state’s early political transition.

The committee cited several technical and administrative failures as the primary reasons for the move, including discrepancies in educational certificates and birth records.

Many aspirants were also disqualified due to financial non-compliance, specifically failing to provide valid proof of payment for their expression of interest and nomination forms. Furthermore, issues regarding tax clearance and evidence of consistent party membership longevity played a critical role in the final determination.

In addition to documentation errors, some aspirants were flagged for alleged “anti-party activities” during previous election cycles. The party leadership emphasized that maintaining strict discipline and institutional loyalty is essential to avoid internal sabotage.

By removing candidates with questionable backgrounds now, the APC aims to prevent future legal challenges that could lead to the court-ordered nullification of election victories.

The announcement has triggered significant tension within the Benue APC, with many affected aspirants and their supporters alleging that the process was biased. Some critics argue that the mass disqualification is a strategic maneuver to clear the path for anointed candidates favored by the party’s top brass. Protests have already surfaced at the state secretariat in Makurdi, with disgruntled members demanding a more transparent review of the screening results.

Despite the backlash, the party has remained firm, inaugurating an appeals committee to address formal grievances in an orderly manner. The leadership maintains that the high standards set during this exercise are necessary to ensure the APC fields the most credible and legally sound candidates. As the 2027 cycle intensifies, the outcome of these appeals will be crucial in determining whether the party can maintain its cohesion or face a wave of defections to the opposition.